Cam operated gang switch assembly with rotatably mounted and manually adjustable supporting plate means



Nov. 24, 1964 K. VEGSUND 3,158,699

CAM OPERATED GANG SWITCH ASSEMBLY WITH ROTATABLY MOUNTED AND MANUALLY ADJUSTABLE SUPPORTING PLATE MEANS Filed Nov. 26, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l m vawvk KARSTE N VEGSUND Waz- HTTOR HEY) Nov. 24, 1964 Filed Nov. 26, 9

K. VEGSUND CAM OPERATED GANG SWITCH ASSEMBLY WITH ROTATABLY MOUNTED AND MANUALLY ADJUSTABLE SUPPORTING PLATE MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w 88 w i I E B 80 E 85 i 86 87 g ||o 1E nnnnnnn Li li [NI/EN TOR KHRSTEN VEGSUN D United States Patent l 3,1535% 7 CAM OEERATED GANG SWITCH ASSEMBLY WITH ROTATAlS-LY MGUNTED AND MANUALLY Al)- .lUSTAB'LE SUPPQRTENG PLATE MEANS Karsten Vegsund, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, assignor to Canadian Forest Products Ltd, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, a corporation of British Columbia Filed Nov. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 239,953 Claims. (Cl; 2430-18) This invention relates to control apparatus for operating any selected one of a plurality of electrical circuits.

This control apparatus is particularly designed to be used with veneer clippers, and it is so described'herein, but it maybe used for other purposes where it is desired to operate any selected one of a plurality of electrical circuits.

Veneer peeled from logs by a veneer lathe is moved in a sheet through a clipper where it is cut into desired widths. The clipper is also used to cut out defective portions of the veneer. To this end, an operator selectively operates the cutter of the machine to cut out different widths of the veneer. This control apparatus enables the operator to select the widths of the veneer which are cut by the clipper.

The control mechanism of the prior art are comparatively complicated, limited in the number of circuits that may be controlled, difficult to maintain and repair, and require the stopping of the apparatus when it is necessary to change the timing of the operation or" the various circuits. The present control apparatus is very simple in construction and operation, and it is so constructed that parts may be quickly and easily replaced, said parts are inexpensive, is easy to maintain, allows for a large number of settings although the apparatus is quite small and compact, and is such that the timing of the circuits may be easily adjusted without stopping the machine.

Apparatus according to the present invention comprises a plurality of switches spaced longitudinally along a com.- mon axis and arranged in different angular positions around. said axis, said switches being adapted to form parts of circuits controlled thereby, and cam means mounted along and rotatable around said axis in position to operate said switches upon angular movement of the cam means, said cam means in the preferred form of the invention being rotated from a zero position to operate the switches and being returned to said zero position when each selected circuit has been operated. However, for some purpose, said cam means may be continuously or intermittently rotated in the same direction.

A preferred form of. the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a diagram of a veneer clipper which forms the background for the present control apparatus;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the control apparatus, with the near side of the casing thereof removed and with parts of the apparatus shown in section;

3 is a plan view of the apparatus with the top or cover of the casing broken away and with part of the apparatus itself broken away;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 44 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 5 is a vertical section taken on the line 55 of FIGURE 2.

Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, 19 diagrammatically illustrates a portion of a standard veneer clipper having a transverse cutting blade 12 which is moved downwardly to an anvil l3 and back again each time the machine is operated. The mounting and operation of this blade is well known, and does not require any description' herein. Each time blade 12 moves downwardly, a

rocker arm 1:"; is rotated about a shaft 16 to move a link 18 in the direction ofarrow 19 through a lost motion connection 20. Veneer strips or sheets 25 are moved over anvil 13 bya suitable conveyor 26. A roller or Wheel 28 rides on the upper surface of veneer 25 and rotates a small sprocket 29 which is connected by a chain 30 to a large sprocket wheel 31 freely mounted on a shaft 34 of the control apparatus 36.

Control apparatus 36 is illustrated in FIGURESZ to 5. Sprocket wheel 31 rotates shaft 34 through a friction clutch 38 of any desired construction. During operation of the clipper ltl, sprocket wheel 31 is rotated continuously, as long as veneer 25 is-moving through the machine,-

by roller 23. This sprocket wheel rotates shaft 34 through clutch 38, but suitable means returns said shaft to a zero position after various predetermined angular movements of said shaft.

When this control apparatus is associated with aveneer' clipper, as illustrated, shaft 34 is returnedto a zero position after rotation thereof, but the control apparatus may be used for some purposes w ere shaft 34 is continuously or intermittently rotated in the same direction.

Shaft 34 is journalled in suitablebearings 42 mounted" on and projecting upwardly from a base 43. A casing s5 is removably mounted on base 43 andencloses most of shaft 34 and the elements associated therewith. This casing has a removable topor cover 46. i

A block 4-9 is keyed to shaft 34: outside casing 45 and is engaged by clutch 32;. Link 18 is connected to block 59 through a suitable connector 5% so that when blade 13. of veneer clipper 10 moves downwardly to cut veneer 25, link 18 is moved in the direction of arrow 19, see

FIGURE 1, to rotate shaft 34 through block 49 in the direction opposite to the normal rotation thereof, clutch 38 permitting this movement to take place. Thus, the

shaft is returned to a predetermined position which is' and till extending along opposite edges of said base. Plate 5 58 has a vertical slot 52 opening out from its lower edge and spanning shaft 34. The plate is removably secured to barsdtl and (it by brackets 64- and 65. Inaddition to. this, the upper edge of the plate may be supported by rods 67 and d8 which fit into notches 69 and 70 formed in said plate and opening outwardly from inclined edges 71 and" 72 near the top of the plate. Pairs of nuts 74 and 75 are threaded on rods 67 and 68, respectively, with a nut of each pair on each side of plate 58 to hold the upper edge, of said plate imposition, see FIGURES 2 and 3.

Support plates 79 and it are mounted for rotation around the axis of shaft 34 on opposite sides of separator plate 58. In this example, support plates 79 and 80 are carried by suitable bearings 82 and 8-3 rotatably mounted on shaft 34. Suitable means is provided for moving support plates '79 and 8t) angularly around shaft 34 and holding said plates in different adjusted positions. For this purpose, a pin 85 projects outwardly and longitudinally of shaft 34 from support plate 79 near the lower edge thereof. This pin fits into a slot 36 of a block 87 having,

a threaded shaft 853 threadcdly extending therethrough transversely of base 43. Shaft 88 has reduced ends "89 and i i) journalled in bars 61 and 60, respectively. End

Patented Nov. 24, 1964 89 extends outwardly from bar 61 and has a notch 91 in its outer end. A lock nut 92 is threaded on to the exposed portion of shaft end to retain said shaft in different adjusted positions. When nut 92 is loosened, a screw driver inserted into notch 91, or an adjusting knox fixedly mounted on shaft end 89, may be used to rotate shaft 88 and thereby shift block 87 longitudinally thereof which is transversely of base 43. This moves support plate 7 9 angularly around shaft 4-3. When nut 92 is tightened, sup port plate '79 is held in the adjusted position.

Support plate 86) is angularly rotated around shaft 34 in the same manner as plate 79 by means of a shaft 94, block 95' and pin 96, the latter pin being connected to and extending outwardly from support plate 3%.

Support plate 79 is formed with a plurality of tapped holes 9 therein arranged in an arcuate path around the axis of shaft 34. At least one microswitch 10%) is mounted in plate 79 by screws fitting into holes 93. t is obvious that switch ltltl may be adjusted along the support plate by inserting the screws into different holes 99 thereof. This switch has an operating plunger Th2 projecting downwardly therefrom towards shaft 34. This plunger preferably has a roller 183 on its outer end.

A suitable cam 166 is fixedly mounted on shaft 3 adjacent support plate 7% and beneath plunger roller 103 of switch 100. Cam 1% is such that when shaft 34 is in the zero position, plunger 102 is extended. As the shaft is turned in its normal direction, cam 1% depresses plunger 102 until switch 19-0 is operated. When switch 100 is operated depends upon its position on support plate 79 and the position of said plate angularly relative to shaft 34.

A similar cam 110 is mounted on shaft 34 adjacent support plate 80 and is adapted to depress the plunger 111 of another microswitch 112 mounted on support plate at on angular rotation of shaft 34. Switch 112 has a different angular setting relative to shaft 34 than switch 1th).

Switches 100 and 112 may be opened or closed on depression of their respective plungers, depending upon the types of the electrical circuits in which said switches are positioned. However, each of these switches forms part of a different electrical circuit which is adapted to cause blade 12 of the veneer cutter It) to be depressed to cut veneer 25. The circuits and control of machined!) are well known in the art. When the operator determines the width of the veneer which he desires to cut, he closes a switch which sets up one of the electrical circuits of which either switch 100 or 112 forms part. Thus, when the plunger of that selected circuit is depressed, blade 12 of machine 10 is operated.

Control apparatus 36 usually includes several units 55, as shown. A micro switch is provided for each operating circuit of machine 10. The micro switches are located in different angular positions relative to shaft 34 so that said switches are operated by the cams on the shaft at different times. The operator selects the operating circuit of the next cut, immediately after the blade 12 is operated, if he wishes to change the width of the veneer. As shaft 34 is being rotated by roller 28, when the plunger in the selected micro switch is depressed by its cam, the cutter blade is depressed. The depressing of the blade moves link 18 to return shaft 34 to its zero position through block 49.

An important advantage of this control apparatus results from the fact that each support plate 79 may be angularly adjusted relative to shaft 34- without stopping the apparatus merely by loosening nut 92 and turning shaft 88. This allows for very fine adjustment of the time when switch 100 is operated after the shaft leaves its zero position. Each switch may be readily adjusted on support plate 79 for a wide range of coarse adjustments. It is possible to put more switches on each support plate if required for special purposes. The illustrated apparatus includes six units 55. Any or all of these units may be used. If more operating circuits are required, it is only necessary to prolong shaft 34 and to provide the necessary number of additional units 55. If a switch ltltl ceases to function properly, it is a simple matter to replace the switch. In prior devices for controlling operating circuits, it has been necessary to replace defective contact points which usually meant a partially dismantling of the apparatus.

The various elements of control apparatus 36 may be quickly and easily replaced. Furthermore, if all the units 55 are not required, the unnecessary ones may be easily removed so that they are not subjected to the continuous operation of the apparatus.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. Control apparatus for operating any selected one of a plurality of electrical circuits, comprising a shaft mounted for angular rotation from a zero position, means connected to the shaft through which said shaft can be rotated from the zero position and adapted to permit the return of the shaft to the zero position after a selected circuit has been operated, a plurality of cams fixedly mounted on the shaft, a support plate rotatably mounted on the shaft adjacent each cam, means for individually adjusting the support plates around the shaft and retaining said plates in the adjusted positions, and a micro switch mounted on each plate adapted to control one of said circuits and having a depressible plunger projecting therefrom into the path of the cam adjacent said plate to be depressed by the latter cam during rotation of the shaft, each switch being operated when its plunger is depressed, said switches being located in different angular positions around the axis of the shaft and having their plungers de pressed by their respective cams upon predetermined angular movement from said zero position of the respective cams.

2. Control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for rotating the shaft includes a slip clutch connected to the shaft through which said shaft is rotated from the zero position, and including means connected to the shaft for rotating the latter back to the zero position, said last-mentioned means being operated when any one of said electrical circuits is operated by the micro switch thereof.

3. Control apparatus for operating any selected one of a plurality of electrical circuits, comprising a base, a shaft rotatably supported above the base, a separator plate mounted on and projecting upwardly from the base and through which the shaft extends, means for angularly rotating the shaft from a zero position, means connected to the shaft through which said shaft can be rotated from the Zero position and adapted to permit the return of the shaft to the zero position after a selected circuit has been operated, a support plate rotatably mounted on the shaft on each side of the separator plate, means for individually adjusting the support plates around the shaft and retaining said plates in the adjusted positions, a cam fixedly mounted on the shaft beside each support plate, and a micro switch mounted on each support plate adapted to control one of said circuits and having a depressible plunger projecting therefrom into the path of the cam adjacent the latter plate to be depressed by the latter cam during rotation of the shaft, each switch being operated when its plunger is depressed, said switches being located in different angular positions around the axis of the shaft and having their plungers depressed by their respective cams upon predetermined angular movement from said zero position of the respective cams.

4. Control apparatus for operating any selected one of a plurality of electrical circuits, comprising a base, a shaft rotatably supported above the base, a plurality of separator plates mounted on and projecting upwardly from the base and spaced longitudinally of the shaft and through which the latter extends, means for angularly rotating the shaft from a zero position, means connected to the shaft through which said shaft can be rotated from the zero position and adapted to permit the return of the shaft to the zero position after a selected circuit has been operated, a support plate rotatably mounted on the shaft on each side of each separator plate, means for individually adjusting the support plates around the shaft and retaining said plates in the adjusted positions, a cam fixedly mounted on the shaft beside each support plate, and a micro switch mounted on each support plate adapted to control one of said circuits and having a depressible plunger projecting therefrom into the path of the cam adjacent the latter plate to be depressed by the latter cam during rotation of the shaft, each switch being operated when its plunger is depressed, said switches being located in ditferent angular positions around the axis of the shaft and having their plungers depressed by their respective cams upon predetermined angular movement from said zero position of the respective cams.

5. Control apparatus as claimed in claim 4 including 133 means for removahly securing each switch to the support plate thereof in different positions around the shaft axis.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,202,698 5/40 Latta 200-153 X 2,411,730 11/46 Huntsman.

2,440,807 5/48 Mullin 200-453 2,832,851 4/58 Jones 200-6 2,912,528 11/59 Wall 200-153 X 2,963,628 12/60 Ostland 200153 X 3,015,002 12/61 Laviana 20027 X 3,104,298 9/63 Aldous 200-153 BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner. 

1. CONTROL APPARATUS FOR OPERATING ANY SELECTED ONE OF A PLURALITY OF ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS, COMPRISING A SHAFT MOUNTED FOR ANGULAR ROTATION FROM A ZERO POSITION, MEANS CONNECTED TO THE SHAFT THROUGH WHICH SAID SHAFT CAN BE ROTATED FROM THE ZERO POSITION AND ADAPTED TO PERMIT THE RETURN OF THE SHAFT TO THE ZERO POSITION AFTER A SELECTED CIRCUIT HAS BEEN OPERATED, A PLURALITY OF CAMS FIXEDLY MOUNTED ON THE SHAFT, A SUPPORT PLATE ROTABLY MOUNTED ON THE SHAFT ADJACENT EACH CAM, MEANS FOR INDIVIDUALLY ADJUSTING THE SUPPORT PLATES AROUND THE SHAFT AND RETAINING SAID PLATES IN THE ADJUSTED POSITIONS, AND A MICRO SWICH MOUNTED ON EACH PLATE ADAPTED TO CONTROL ONE OF SAID CIRCUITS AND HAVING A DEPRESSIBLE PLUNGER PROJECTING THEREFROM INTO THE PATH OF THE CAM ADJACENT SAID PLATE TO BE DEPRESSED BY THE LATTER CAM DURING ROTATION OF THE SHAFT, EACH SWITCH BEING OPERATED WHEN ITS PLUNGER IS DEPRESSED, SAID SWITCHES BEING LOCATED IN DIFFERENT ANGULAR POSITIONS AROUND THE AXIS OF THE SHAFT AND HAVING THEIR PLUNGERS DEPRESSED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE CAMS UPON PREDETERMINED ANGULAR MOVEMENT FROM SAID ZERO POSITION OF THE RESPECTIVE CAMS. 